lamp

oil lamp

sarak

MEM0001

Sarak is an oil-burning lamp usually made of fithol (brass). Before electricity arrived in rural Rakhine state 20-25 years ago, Rohingya households depended on sarak for illumination at night. Every household had at least one sarak, without which Rohingya students could not study and basic household tasks could not be done. In areas still lacking electricity, sarak are still a vital part of life. Kerosene is used as fuel.